143 



vided with a lateral horizontal fold of the skin on each side, espe- 

 cially developed in the part opposite to the upper jaw and not 

 always conspicuous in preserved specimens. Intermaxillaries 

 forming a triangular plate, which has a band of teeth, similar 

 to that of the lower jaw. Origin of dorsal backwards, before 

 that of the anal and much longer than lastnamed fin. Pectorals 



Fig. 54. Hemirhamphodon pogonognathus (Blkr.) X Vio- 

 Upper figure the head magnified to show the teeth in lower jaw. 



not inserted so high as in other genera of the group, shorter 

 than head. Ventrals shorter or longer than pectorals, before 

 or behind origin of dorsal. Caudal rounded. Scales very small. 

 Gillopenings wide. Short gillrakers present. Viviparous. 



Distribution: Malay Peninsula, Singapore, Sumatra, 

 Banka, Biliton and Borneo. 



In fresh and brackish water. 



Key to the species of He mirham phodon. 



1. D. 21 23. Origin of ventrals behind that of dorsal. H. phaiosoma p. 143. 



2. D. 15 17. Origin of ventrals before that of dorsal. H. pogonognathus p. 144. 



i. Hemirhamphodon phaiosoma (Blkr.) 



Hemiramphus phaiosoma Bleeker, Verh. Bat. Gen. XXIV. 1852, Snoekacht. Visschen 

 p. 26. Nat. Tijdschr. Ned. Indie III. (1851) 1852, p. 99. 



Hemirhamphodon phaiosoma Bleeker, Ned. Tijdschr. Dierk. III. 1 866, p. 1 68. 

 Atl. ichth. VI. 18661872, p. 66. 



Hemirhamphus phaiosoma Gunther, Cat. Brit. Mus. VI. 1 866, p. 272. 



D. 21 23; A. 9; P. 1.7 8; V. 1.5; L.I. circa 90 ! ). 

 Compressed, the breadth of the body going 1.5 in its height. 

 Height 8.3, 9.1 in length with caudal. Head from tip of upper 



i) BLEEKER (1. c.) mentions only about 70. 



